October 2016

1. President Justine Finley welcomed members and guests, with a special welcome to Mr.Greenleaf, also known as Amy Lind and another board member, of the Grotesque Foundation, which is non profit. 2. Jan Fleming, the meeting presenter of "Grotesques and Gargoyles,"was introduced by Jan Jansen.  Jan received her Master's in music.   She sang opera and sang at the Church of the Presidents.   She also sang in Vienna. Her family brought her back to Des Moines, where she taught Special Ed for many years.  In 2003, she was awarded a key to the City for promoting civil rights.  She was instrumental in organizing public attention to the plight of the Iraq Symphony.   After retiring, she began writing about Iowa landscape and architecture.  Because of the work on this book, she was invited to the 100th birthday party of the Washington Cathedral. There, she met a stone mason who uses the same tools and techniques from centuries ago. She recognized Sue Jansen for her help in writing the book.  Sue is also a special ed              teacher.  The profits from her book go to scholarships for Drake students. Jan presented a video program giving an overview.  Someone mentioned to her one day about the faces around the courthouse.  She found them fantastic and couldn't believe no one really looked at them.  It has never been written down as to what the faces, ideas or intent mean.  This was lost with the stone carvers.  Twenty eight grotesque faces are on the court house.  On the Polk Co.Courthouse, there is an Indian maiden, green man with horns.  She believes we must do something to preserve them.  Also fascinating are the stories behind the stone masons, which are undocumented.   The architects - Proudfoot and Burns also were responsible for other buildings around Des Moines with gargoyles - Roosevelt High Schools, Lincoln High School, Polk County Courthouse.  Salisbury House is another place filled with gargoyles.  St. Ambrose features the religious symbols from around the world.  Other fine carvings often go unnoticed because of their positions.  The agricultural room at the capitol are some of the finest wood carvings of gargoyles.     Jan has spent much time with documenting all of these gargoyles around Iowa.  A cherry picker was one way she saw some of the gargoyles.  She has also connected with experts around the world.  She believes this will enhance the image of Des Moines.  She sees history, mystery, as well as art work. She had members look at pages in her book explaining the meanings of gargoyles.   She found only one true gargoyle in Des Moines - Kirk Blunck's home.  The next closest gargoyle is at 800 Locust.  We have figures in Iowa that rival anything in Des Moines.  Gargoyles are happy, scary, mean.  Another category are animals.  She noted other examples in her book from throughout the world.  One example is The Medici Restaurant in Chicago.  The University of Chicago tried to get the restaurant shut down, and did.  It relocated.   These are modern grotesques, some of which mimic the officials and instructors at the University of Chicago.  The Greenman image was the first image put in gargoyles throughout the world.  This is a figure surrounded by leaves coming out of their noses or elsewhere.  There is also a Greenwoman, shown on a building at University of Iowa.  Another one is on the Polk County Courthouse. Jan has appeared before the City Council to stop demolition of the Masonic Temple with gargoyles.       
3. Birthdays in October were recognized by the singing of "Happy Birthday." 4. Justine led members in the Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence. 5. After lunch, the meeting was called to order, with Marilyn Reece providing a humorous essay. A.  Secretary - Sherry Wilkinson read the September minutes.  Minutes were approved with correction:  The Christmas market will run December 2-4, not four weekends prior to Christmas. B.  Treasurer - Rosemary Hillman.  Report will be filed for audit. C.  Courtesy - Dee Fleischwaker:  Shirley Corkhill had hernia surgery; Cards were sent to Walt Galvin. D.  Legislative Update - Gary Thelen:  Went to the Benefits Advisory Comm meeting of IPERS.  The speaker was the chief financial officer of DM Public schools.  Talked about a law that would merge IPERS and Des Moines Plan.  Members in the house are not favorable to labor or teachers.   So, this bill is not a given thing.  The Des Moines Retirement System is different from IPERS, and would require a lot of technical expertise, which would cost the school system.   There are more people taking out of the DM Plan than putting in.   the plan they have come up is that all new members coming into the system would be put in IPERs.  Those in DM Plan would be put in PIERS.  The people currently getting benefits would continue receiving from the DM Public schools until everyone dies out.  Announced that the contribution rate would remain at 14.888 percent.  Also discussion about changing the plan to a defined contribution plan. E.  Old Business: 1.  Report from State Conference - Joe and Bill attended. 2.  Continue to alert Bill and Joelle Synder of any changes for the Directory. F.  New Business: 1.  No meeting in November. 2.  Bring a new or gently used book or a check for the Storybook Project. 3.  Bringing a gift for the gift exchange. 4.  Date correction in Directory should be January 26, not 28. G.  Cashiers for next month are:  Trudy Woline, Marla Carr, Dorothy Hall. H.  Answer to puzzles - Dee Fleischwaker I.  Door prize - Marla Clark 6.  Adjourn - The October 27, 2016, DMARSPA business meeting was adjourned at 12:34 p.m.  We will reconvene December 8 for our "Holiday Sing A Long" with Dennis Wermersen. Respectfully submitted, Sherry Wilkinson

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